Description
Book SynopsisIn nature, trickery and deception are widespread. Animals and plants mimic other objects or species in the environment for protection, trick other species into rearing their young, lure prey to their death, and deceive potential mates for reproduction. Cuckoos lay eggs carefully matched to their host''s own clutch. Harmless butterflies mimic the wing patterning of a poisonous butterfly to avoid being eaten. The deep-sea angler fish hangs a glowing, fleshy lure in front of its mouth to draw the attention of potential prey, while some male fish alter their appearance to look like females in order to sneak past rivals in mating. Some orchids develop the smell of female insects in order to attract pollinators, while carnivorous plants lure insects to their death with colourful displays. In this book, Martin Stevens describes the remarkable range of such adaptations in nature, and considers how they have evolved, and become increasingly perfected as part of an arms race between predator and
Trade ReviewRelish the wild world's duplicity: Cheats and Deceits by Martin Stevens * Simon Barnes, The Sunday Times *
Cleverly and clearly written, Cheats and Deceits lies at the sweet spot between a popular account and a useful academic update. Well-referenced and illustrated, it will fascinate armchair, field and lab biologists alike. * Adrian Barnett, New Scientist *
A clear, thoughtful, jargon-free guide. Delicious, duplicitous details make exploring the natural world seem all the more fascinating. * Wall Street Journal *
a beautifully illustrated must-read for academic biologists and natural historians alike * Adrian Barnett, BBC Wildlife *
Table of Contents1. The Basis of Deception in Nature ; 2. Thieves and Liars ; 3. Lured into an Early Grave ; 4. Disruption and Dazzle ; 5. A Spider in Ant's Clothing ; 6. Bluff and Surprise ; 7. An Imposter in the Nest ; 8. Spreading Genes and Sexual Mimicry ; 9. The Future of Deception ; Notes & References ; Further Reading ; Index
